Perhaps you’re aware that the annual Kentucky Derby happens this afternoon at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Perhaps you aren’t, but if you are, there’s a good chance you know because you’ve been invited to some over-the-top, regal-themed Derby party, where getting sh*t-faced on bourbon and mint juleps is simply called “classy.”

Whatever you call it, just know that there will be some Derby attendees who do classy better than you and your friends ever will. Woodford Reserve, official bourbon of the race, will sell 79 mint juleps that go for $1,000 per drink and another ten, even fancier mint juleps for $2,000 per drink, sold in engraved cups with rose petals and a gold-plated medallion.

All for a race that lasts approximately two minutes.

Anyways: why?

For its $1,000/$2,000 juleps, Woodford Reserve’s theme this year is the 89th anniversary of the Derby’s identification as the “Run for the Roses.” That’s why it has 89 cups for sale. Beyond the fancy cups and the boxes made of the same American Oak used in its aging barrels, Woodford has added some extras

“We have candied rose petals, actual rose petals that we’ve soaked in sugar water,” says Morris, the master distiller. “So we’re going to put some rose petals in the cup, a little bit of mint, muddle that together. The ice we’re using has been made from rose water. … It has the mint, but now it has the rose hint to it.”

To put the price of these cocktails into perspective, the most expensive drink in uber-expensive New York City is $63. A bottle of the legendary and extremely rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon would set you back $1,800 in Brooklyn, which is still cheaper than the $2,000 mint julep, assuming you got your hands on it.

This is something the hiphop generation has no access to or knows nothing about. How can we get in? There is money at that track, big money. Probably, maybe a lot of Donald sterling types who knows.
I’m surprised some rapper hasn’t made his way I the derby yet for show off purposes and to black it up a bit. I would think jayz, but I would love to see Baby at the derby, that seems like a place to get your hand rubb on. But it’ll probably be Ross and it’ll be corny and mafioso

The Preekness (Preakness) is held in BMore, that be the best bet to get a foot in the door for hip hop. Once you pop up at a few of the more tame events, you can turn up and turn out the Kentucky Derby!